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Alice Walker's "the Colour Purple": A Readers Companion
The book offers a detailed study of Alice Walker as a novelist, focusing on her novel The Color Purple. The first section introduces Alice Walker, with an exhaustive commentary on the novel The Color Purple. The second part contains articles by erudite scholars on varied aspects of the novel.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
January 2, 2023
Cried my eyes out (the actual book the colour purple by Alice Walker, idk why it’s not on here)
February 3, 2021
This was such a slow started for me which is why it has only 3 stars
I couldnt get into it at all until about 120 pages!
Its wrote in diary enteries which was fine but the southern dialect used took me so long to get used to! Once I started to get used to it I started to enjoy it more!
It covers such important issued and really was heartbreaking to hear what someone people had went through! Some people I know loved the way it was written and really helped them imagine the characters but for me I didnt like this.
Still a brill book and still suggest to read it as most people rated it much higher than me!
I couldnt get into it at all until about 120 pages!
Its wrote in diary enteries which was fine but the southern dialect used took me so long to get used to! Once I started to get used to it I started to enjoy it more!
It covers such important issued and really was heartbreaking to hear what someone people had went through! Some people I know loved the way it was written and really helped them imagine the characters but for me I didnt like this.
Still a brill book and still suggest to read it as most people rated it much higher than me!
January 2, 2024
“If [God] listened to poor coloured women the world would be a different place”
Went into this book completely blind and now can’t wait to watch the film (both of them)!
A heartbreaking tale of the struggles black women face in the south and all round the world.
Celie went through turmoil through the abuse of her father, husband, finding her sexuality and the everyday racism just from being black. But the hope that her sister was somewhere out there reading her letters shows that all you need is hope.
Went into this book completely blind and now can’t wait to watch the film (both of them)!
A heartbreaking tale of the struggles black women face in the south and all round the world.
Celie went through turmoil through the abuse of her father, husband, finding her sexuality and the everyday racism just from being black. But the hope that her sister was somewhere out there reading her letters shows that all you need is hope.
February 28, 2024
Thought this book started a little slow but when she started getting the letters from her sister that’s when it really took my interest . I have had this book in my collection for a while as I was given it as a gift so glad I now got round to reading it
January 31, 2025
Phenomenal book. Absolutely devastating. I'm not sure what else I could even say about it. I was enraptured from start to finish. This book found new ways to rip my heart out, and I've never found myself rooting for a protagonist so much. This really is a testament to strength, self-discovery, love, and resilience. Anyway, rereading this killed me, but yeah, I love this book.
September 29, 2020
A heartbreaking tale magically written from start to finish.
November 18, 2020
The language style made it a slow read but really nice story nonetheless
December 21, 2023
had to read for college, bit too dark made me sad
September 5, 2020
I finished this book a few days back, but had to distance myself from it to gather my thoughts into some form of objectivity. But this may still seem like my love letter to it.
Published in 1982, the novel spans several decades through letters exchanged between sisters Celie and Nettie, who grow up in the American South in the early 1900s. With the grit of abuse and violence inflicted on the protagonist Celie's body as a black woman in the familial as well as social space, this could easily have been a story of heartbreak. But Walker writes a story of utmost hope, honesty, and the fabric of human relationships navigating the terrain of destructive, dominant constructs like racism, poverty, and sexism.
A beloved professor posed these questions to us - what is this idea of sisterhood? Who becomes a part of our community? Is woman a homogeneous category, then can feminism be unidimensional? It tenderly says something about all this. The act of shifting between addressing her letters to God and to her distant sister, Nettie, is the embodiment of becoming a woman, a person, a unique self, outside of the given conventions and within her sisterhood.
Like Morrison's Beloved, the men in this book are both victims and perpetrators of violence, and their transformation into people devoid and capable of love is incredibly presented.
But if there is a single protagonist in this book - it is the community of women. Another professor pointed out that in both Black American & Dalit writings, the community is at the centre because it suffers and it saves. Sofia's ferocity being broken into forced subservience breaks your heart, but when Mary Agnes (who would have been her arch-enemy by patriarchal mindsets) holds the fort for her family, we find semblance of the aforementioned hope. My favourite part features Celie, Shug, and the other women telling the men about their departure. It's assertive of agency, but it is poignantly crafted to show us the tension that has built that expression and need for freedom.
There's a prominence of the motif of song & it's fitting, for this book is a medley you'll keep safe in memory.
Published in 1982, the novel spans several decades through letters exchanged between sisters Celie and Nettie, who grow up in the American South in the early 1900s. With the grit of abuse and violence inflicted on the protagonist Celie's body as a black woman in the familial as well as social space, this could easily have been a story of heartbreak. But Walker writes a story of utmost hope, honesty, and the fabric of human relationships navigating the terrain of destructive, dominant constructs like racism, poverty, and sexism.
A beloved professor posed these questions to us - what is this idea of sisterhood? Who becomes a part of our community? Is woman a homogeneous category, then can feminism be unidimensional? It tenderly says something about all this. The act of shifting between addressing her letters to God and to her distant sister, Nettie, is the embodiment of becoming a woman, a person, a unique self, outside of the given conventions and within her sisterhood.
Like Morrison's Beloved, the men in this book are both victims and perpetrators of violence, and their transformation into people devoid and capable of love is incredibly presented.
But if there is a single protagonist in this book - it is the community of women. Another professor pointed out that in both Black American & Dalit writings, the community is at the centre because it suffers and it saves. Sofia's ferocity being broken into forced subservience breaks your heart, but when Mary Agnes (who would have been her arch-enemy by patriarchal mindsets) holds the fort for her family, we find semblance of the aforementioned hope. My favourite part features Celie, Shug, and the other women telling the men about their departure. It's assertive of agency, but it is poignantly crafted to show us the tension that has built that expression and need for freedom.
There's a prominence of the motif of song & it's fitting, for this book is a medley you'll keep safe in memory.
Read
May 18, 2022This book was beautiful and I went into it knowing nothing. I read this in such a short time span because i wanted to finish the story. I started reading this while listening to music (which i usually do with books) and just turned it off because it needed to be read alone somehow
This is an important book that I'm sure i will reread
~ Ellie <33
This is an important book that I'm sure i will reread
~ Ellie <33
June 5, 2022
For my first time reading the book, I wanted to read it without much context or explanation prior to starting so I could form my own thoughts completely. As a teenager, this is my understanding:
The colour purple is set in early 1920s USA or around that time and the story is narrated with Celie's letters to God, and later her sister. Because she was pulled out of education at an extremely young age, the letters aren't fluid and aesthetic to read, rather they are a raw representation of her thoughts and feelings as a reflection of her life. Because Celie is an uneducated black woman before the civil rights movements, she faces massive discrimination, degradation and resentment from her surroundings. She is sexually assaulted and married off at an extremely young age. The first half of her life is her simply trying to survive against her abusive husband and his horrible children. She is told sometimes to seize control, but she does not think this is possible and opts to continue to live in a listless and depressive state as she has little figures of black female confidence to look up to and to see as an example of what she could be. While Sofia presents this image briefly, Celie shuts this down due to her conditioning in her life that as a women she should be quiet and obedient.
The way that the literature was structured was the most interesting for me. Because she is writing letters to God, she is pouring her heart out and her lack of education is more apparent in her spelling and grammar. Sometimes she doesn't go further into detail where if this book had been written in free indirect discourse or first person prose, it would've. Because of this, the reader doesn't receive the detail, either due to her lack of attention towards it or she is too ashamed to say tell this to God or Nettie.
The colour purple is set in early 1920s USA or around that time and the story is narrated with Celie's letters to God, and later her sister. Because she was pulled out of education at an extremely young age, the letters aren't fluid and aesthetic to read, rather they are a raw representation of her thoughts and feelings as a reflection of her life. Because Celie is an uneducated black woman before the civil rights movements, she faces massive discrimination, degradation and resentment from her surroundings. She is sexually assaulted and married off at an extremely young age. The first half of her life is her simply trying to survive against her abusive husband and his horrible children. She is told sometimes to seize control, but she does not think this is possible and opts to continue to live in a listless and depressive state as she has little figures of black female confidence to look up to and to see as an example of what she could be. While Sofia presents this image briefly, Celie shuts this down due to her conditioning in her life that as a women she should be quiet and obedient.
The way that the literature was structured was the most interesting for me. Because she is writing letters to God, she is pouring her heart out and her lack of education is more apparent in her spelling and grammar. Sometimes she doesn't go further into detail where if this book had been written in free indirect discourse or first person prose, it would've. Because of this, the reader doesn't receive the detail, either due to her lack of attention towards it or she is too ashamed to say tell this to God or Nettie.
March 11, 2023
"Being alive begin to seem like a awful strain."
Okay, this book was questionable at first and is definitely NOT world-changing or a masterpiece (in my opinion) - I saw it was about a black woman and her sister and their lives growing up and immediately had to pick it up!
Although it was fairly difficult to get into by halfway i was really enjoying it and i felt very passionate and connected to our main Character, Celie.
The writing style may put some people off however i think that it is very creative and well-thought, Celie is uneducated and underprivileged, her lack of correct grammar and bad spelling shows this (it can be difficult to understand what she is saying sometimes but never impossible).
I was going to rate this book a solid 4 starts however i just didnt feel that it gave us enough, the writing was wonderful but there was never much description and this is understandable- considering the book is written in letters between Celie and her sister and letter from Celie to God. (I just did not feel THAT engaged throughout the reading process)
This book explores so many important themes: race, feminism, insecurity, love, homosexuality, abusive relationships, violence, familial relationships, trauma etc.
There were several moments in this book that struck me, some phrases and quotes i doubt i will ever forget, this book was heart-crushing at times however i think it lacked mainly in the consistency, i found it quite boring at times (even ended up skimming some pages because there was just so many irrelevant paragraphs).
I would recommend this book but keep in mind it can be slow at times.
Okay, this book was questionable at first and is definitely NOT world-changing or a masterpiece (in my opinion) - I saw it was about a black woman and her sister and their lives growing up and immediately had to pick it up!
Although it was fairly difficult to get into by halfway i was really enjoying it and i felt very passionate and connected to our main Character, Celie.
The writing style may put some people off however i think that it is very creative and well-thought, Celie is uneducated and underprivileged, her lack of correct grammar and bad spelling shows this (it can be difficult to understand what she is saying sometimes but never impossible).
I was going to rate this book a solid 4 starts however i just didnt feel that it gave us enough, the writing was wonderful but there was never much description and this is understandable- considering the book is written in letters between Celie and her sister and letter from Celie to God. (I just did not feel THAT engaged throughout the reading process)
This book explores so many important themes: race, feminism, insecurity, love, homosexuality, abusive relationships, violence, familial relationships, trauma etc.
There were several moments in this book that struck me, some phrases and quotes i doubt i will ever forget, this book was heart-crushing at times however i think it lacked mainly in the consistency, i found it quite boring at times (even ended up skimming some pages because there was just so many irrelevant paragraphs).
I would recommend this book but keep in mind it can be slow at times.
October 14, 2020
From this gist of the book it is clear that its story of young black woman, uneducated, Celie. As per the book it is mentioned that she is repeatedly been raped by a person whom she calls Father. Her husband also treats her slave and makes her life rough. Personally i couldn't find anywhere in the book where she is been raped repeatedly.
In loved ones she has two children and sister. But they are been separated from each other. Later she meets independent, courageous female singer Shug. She started admiring her and her life as Shug was true self, had power in hand and was free bird. On other hand Celie underestimate herself very much. Shug started teaching to fight back, motivated her, made her realize whats the power on being a woman. She started realizing the power inside and wanted to explore more.
Personally I didnt liked the book much. Author's writing and sometimes plot to me was very intricate. I had to re read again to understand it. I had picked this book on hype only but it was disappointing read for me. I just couldn't be able to connect to the character of book. Star given is only thanks to create confusion in brain through writing. Its personally honest review.
In loved ones she has two children and sister. But they are been separated from each other. Later she meets independent, courageous female singer Shug. She started admiring her and her life as Shug was true self, had power in hand and was free bird. On other hand Celie underestimate herself very much. Shug started teaching to fight back, motivated her, made her realize whats the power on being a woman. She started realizing the power inside and wanted to explore more.
Personally I didnt liked the book much. Author's writing and sometimes plot to me was very intricate. I had to re read again to understand it. I had picked this book on hype only but it was disappointing read for me. I just couldn't be able to connect to the character of book. Star given is only thanks to create confusion in brain through writing. Its personally honest review.
August 14, 2023
'The Colour Purple' did not disappoint. The epistolary element made the book feel very real, and I was throughly invested in Celie's journey. I particularly loved how the book addressed themes of spirituality and christianity in a very unique way I found. Also, the way it tackled suppressed queer feelings and the inevitable and continual struggles black women in particular face at the hand of both white people and black men. I was somewhat more interested in Celie's journey than Nettie's but both were great explorations of the black experience in America and Africa respectively. I guess I felt the ending was the slightest bit rushed and could have done with a couple more chapters to further develope different aspects such as Albert's redemption, and Sofia's conclusion with the white family she helps. But overall I loved the book.
December 15, 2024
This is one of those rare books that breaks your heart and heals it at the same time. Told through the letters of Celie, which I originally found a bit difficult to get into, a young Black woman in the American South, the story starts in a place of deep pain and injustice—covering abuse, racism, and misogyny—but it’s also about the incredible power of love, friendship, and self-discovery. The relationships Celie builds, especially with the bold Shug Avery, are beautifully complex and show how connection can be a source of healing. Walker’s writing feels both raw and poetic, capturing all the hurt and hope in Celie’s journey. By the end, I found it impossible not to feel moved by the way Celie finds her voice and reclaims her life. This is a story about survival and joy in the face of adversity, and it’s one that will stick with me for a long time. I might get round to the film one day.
June 16, 2024
it was a fine book. Not a life-changing book but enjoyable to read. However,(SPOILERS) I was disappointed with the ending. I didn't expect her to take Shug back after she left her to play around with a younger boy for a couple of months...like be fr.... and she took Mr ___back too like?!?!?!? what happened to holding grudges? there were so many relationships going around. Everyone doing it to each other and I got lost. AND HER SISTER! She was sweet and fair at the beginning but then she got with the guy's wife RIGHT AFTER HER DEATH?!?! The wife also accused her of loving him and cheating, miss gurl refused it back than but then turned around and like "Oh yeah i loved him all along"
stfu
I loved the way it was dear god then became dear Ceilie that was a nice touch.
stfu
I loved the way it was dear god then became dear Ceilie that was a nice touch.
October 27, 2020
this book was gorgeous and devastating - a book about the struggles of black womanhood Actually written by a black woman. books such as “to kill a mockingbird” or “the help” are renowned, and praised, often for good reason, but they are told through the lenses of white women and do not hold nearly the same power or impact as walker’s words do. a book about colonialism and racism not in the slightest cantered to white people and our experiences was so refreshing. i adored the strength of the female characters and the symbolism and parallels were really standout.
March 9, 2022
Rating: 3.0
The Colour Purple is an epistolary novel written as a series of letters initially between the protagonist Celie and God, and then later between Celie and her Sister Nettie.
Having watched the movie many moons ago, I can honestly say I didn't remember much and was surprised by some of the content as I devoured it, initially with the intent of completing it for bookclub (p.s that didn't happen).
This book was an easy read... as it relates to getting through each chapter of the book, but a very hard read... as it relates to the content. The physical and mental abuse of Celie was heartbreaking. Her separation for her sister and her longing for love and acceptance was hard to read. It was a relief to see some form of restitution for her at some point... even if it was short-lived.
In writing this book, Ms Walker has highlighted a major topic of how the women in this book were mistreated and assigned roles that cast them not as humans to be loved, and cherished but rather objects to be hurt and pillage.
*Unpopular opinion alert!!* - I didn't love this book as much as I thought I would. The middle and final chapters seemed to be like a history textbook rather than apart of the novel as a whole. Netties journey could have been a whole new book and made the novel a bit disjointed for me.
All in all, I don't regret reading this book.
The Colour Purple is an epistolary novel written as a series of letters initially between the protagonist Celie and God, and then later between Celie and her Sister Nettie.
Having watched the movie many moons ago, I can honestly say I didn't remember much and was surprised by some of the content as I devoured it, initially with the intent of completing it for bookclub (p.s that didn't happen).
This book was an easy read... as it relates to getting through each chapter of the book, but a very hard read... as it relates to the content. The physical and mental abuse of Celie was heartbreaking. Her separation for her sister and her longing for love and acceptance was hard to read. It was a relief to see some form of restitution for her at some point... even if it was short-lived.
In writing this book, Ms Walker has highlighted a major topic of how the women in this book were mistreated and assigned roles that cast them not as humans to be loved, and cherished but rather objects to be hurt and pillage.
*Unpopular opinion alert!!* - I didn't love this book as much as I thought I would. The middle and final chapters seemed to be like a history textbook rather than apart of the novel as a whole. Netties journey could have been a whole new book and made the novel a bit disjointed for me.
All in all, I don't regret reading this book.
October 12, 2020
Quite a different book for me. Got to know the detailed version of some black peoples lives and their world. It is sad to see how these things existed and even now in parts of the world it’s being practiced. At the same time I liked the bittersweet experiences that the female protagonists shared with each other via those letters.
If you are looking for a different pick and interested in looking at the world from a different perspective then you should definitely try this book out.
If you are looking for a different pick and interested in looking at the world from a different perspective then you should definitely try this book out.
October 29, 2022
I loved this book. I found I became very invested with the characters, and the plot as well. The writing is done so from the main characters perspective, so it's not a writing I was used to but enjoyed how I was able to understand the character more through this way of writing. It's definitely quite emotional in some parts, and a reflective read. I did cry at the end, but won't disclose whether its good or bad, that's for you to find out. It's Eve approved, I definitely recommend.
April 13, 2023
This book is absolutely fantastic, such a heartbreaking book but the ending I absolutely loved. The only reason I wouldn’t give it a full 10/10 was because it was difficult to read by how it’s written. But I’m actually speechless. Such a powerful book, one that I wasn’t expecting to be so incredible. The female characters are so strong and I loved the way they change the men’s views. Wow, is all I can say right now!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2023
The story of a American black, uneducated, poor woman, featuring equally heart wrenching pain and heart soothing love. Domestic violence, persecution and forced adoption are talked about as matter-of-fact as fashion in the quirky diary entries and letters of the main character Celie. The theme of the book focuses on the strength of the many kinds of female/female love- friendship, family and romantic, that Celie experiences and how she overcomes her subjugation through those relationships.
November 12, 2020
Quite descriptive and in some events that take place in the book. It. Is a great book to read for novel study for school or to get a better understanding of African American women's history. It touches a lot of topics that was considered as a "no" in history (if ya get my point). Overall it was a good book and was written in an interesting way.
June 20, 2022
It’s not an easy book to read in terms of the purposeful misspellings and southern accent being implemented into the writing. Also the fact it’s done as diary entries can also make it hard to keep up. It is a good book but I wouldn’t rush to read it again and I had to force myself to sit down and finish it.
October 14, 2022
It is difficult to explain how incredibly moving I found this book. I can't remember the last time or if I ever actually found myself welling up at a book so much but this one really did it for me.
It was beautifully written and so very moving - I can't believe I haven't read this book until now.
Could not recommend this book anymore. It should be on everybody's book bucket list.
It was beautifully written and so very moving - I can't believe I haven't read this book until now.
Could not recommend this book anymore. It should be on everybody's book bucket list.
March 3, 2024
This is definitely a book that everyone should read once in their lives. It shows the complexities of love and how your perspective on life can really make a difference to you. Celie is such an inspirational character who refuses to let her past define her and has probably the biggest heart you'll ever find.
November 3, 2021
Nothing like the film. Upsetting and explicit in the sexual abuse suffered. Surprise in the two sisters finding the same form of spirituality from completely different experiences. The investigation and explanation of racism from whatever source takes your breath away.
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March 8, 2022Informative historically and inspiring spiritually. I really coming of age story with the MOST beautiful ending. So worth the heart-wrenching read for the lovely ending that rounds off the book beautifully.
December 11, 2022
"I think us here to wonder, myself. To wonder.
To ast. And that in wondering about the big things and asting bout the big things, you learn about the little ones, almost by accident. But you never know nothing more about the big things than you start out with."
To ast. And that in wondering about the big things and asting bout the big things, you learn about the little ones, almost by accident. But you never know nothing more about the big things than you start out with."
February 15, 2023
(Amazingly this book wasn’t actually on here)
So good. The plot line is absolutely horrible and you just want to stop reading, but the writing style is amazing and draws you in, and the characters just evoke so much emotion.
So good. The plot line is absolutely horrible and you just want to stop reading, but the writing style is amazing and draws you in, and the characters just evoke so much emotion.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews